Pilates Mitte

PILATES PERSONAL TRAINING IN BERLIN MITTE

Infos

The History of Pilates

"Return to Life Through Contrology"

Joseph Pilates was born in 1883 in Mönchengladbach. He developed his
movement
method 'Contrology' in Germany and England whilst interned as a prisoner
of war on
the Isle of Man. During WW1 he aided patients back to health using his
‚bednasium’;
a prototype of his machines; the reformer and trapeze table, which both
now utilise
resistance with springs. His series of over 600 exercises work every muscle
in
correct alignment harmoniously. In 1926 with the help of his client; boxer
Max
Schmeling, he secured passage on a ship to America where he opened a
studio in
New York in 1929. There he trained socialites, athletes, gymnasts, circus
performers,
and rehabilitated injured dancers until his death in 1967. He and his partner
Clara
trained teachers, who, in turn trained my teacher, and the Pilates movement
spread
around the world.
Pilates became integrated into therapy in 1960 when orthopedic surgeon
Dr. Henry
Jordan of Lennox Hill hospital in New York City began to send both patients
and
students to practise Pilates. Jordan would allow Pilates trainers to observe
surgery,
so that awareness of affected structures could be precise. From 1983, the
clinic for
Dance Medicine in San Francisco allowed for its physiotherapists to be
trained by
Pilates teachers. The Pilates method has grown over time, and is now
modified and
underpinned by latest scientific principles, and is thus suitable for
prevention and
rehabilitation.

What does Pilates do?

You’d like the clichéd poolside body, with the side effect of good health and
high self
esteem? Pilates is the optimal ‚sport’ to create stability, fitness without bulk.
Your
posture, from the middle outwards, improves. You look and feel slimmer.
Athletes
increase performance and can be aided in healing from injury. Women
prepare for
birth and rebuild their bodies anew afterwards. Sexual fitness and energy
awakens
and increases empowerment. Teenagers recognise a healthy self image
early on,
which accompanies them their whole lives, learning movement patterns that
they
integrate into their everyday lives. Pilates is for people who don’t do sport,
and it’s
also for people who do! Small muscles are trained, which assist the larger
ones in
doing their jobs. Without training these groups, true core stabilization and
peak
performance is unlikely. Pilates trains your muscles, fascia and tendons to
stretch
dynamically to ensure they don’t overstretch, and to increase their elasticity
and
power. Diet, life experiences and time can disrupt our optimal functioning,
but Pilates
can facilitate a person’s recovery of their best genetic self. I will empower
you to reach
your highest level faster, safer and longer than any method available. You
will
achieve peak performance with less effort. You will walk easier, stand taller
and
experience less fatigue.

Why personal training?

Exercises are chosen for your body specifically, taking into consideration
your
history, pathologies, posture and goals. You have my complete attention
and training
is thus optimally effective. Duo training shares the cost and the trainer's
attention, and
can double the fun. Using the reformer, wall unit, barrel and mat, we adhere
to a
concise set of traditional Pilates principles: whole body movement,
breathing,
balanced muscle development, concentration, centering, precision, rhythm.
To apply the Pilates method therefore means: to perform fully body
exercises, to
promote natural movement through concious breathing, to load joints
effectively and
bio-mechanically, through balanced development of muscle strength and
flexibility, to
apply constant mental concentration, to use only as much muscle strength
as is
necessary for each exercise, through controlled movement, to begin all
movement of
the body from a strong centre, to perform precise, defined movements as
accurately
as possible, to channel the natural rhythm of movement and stimulate
muscle
engagement through the breath.
(Pilates Method Alliance Study Guide 2005)
When you have undivided attention, the likelihood of utilising all these
principles
correctly whilst moving is much greater than in a group situation. Exercises
can be
modified to take into account for example your scoliosis or slipped disc, or
be
chosen to enhance, for example, your passion for golf or riding.
Using the barre and jumpboard, a cardio and plyometric element can be
brought into
your session.

Trainer

Cathy Skene, British born teacher of the Pilates method on all apparatus, in
English
and German (and sometimes Latin).
I started practising Pilates in 1991 at the 'Studio für Körper Training' in
Hamburg. My
teacher, Vesna Matthies, was teacher trained in the original Pilates studio in
New
York by Romana Kryzanowska. After I relocated to Berlin, I purchased my
first piece
of large apparatus, a reformer, and then trained to be a
'Bewegungspedagoge der
Pilates Methode' on all machines and mat, at the ‚Body in Balance Pilates
Studio’
Berlin with Joanna Mountifield. I am fully qualified to teach on all Pilates
machines;
Reformer; Cadillac, Wall Unit, Step Barrel, Ladder Barrel, Wunda Chair and
Mat. I
also use the jumpboard for plyometric cardio work, and teach Balanced
Body Barre. I regularly
attend further education courses (Madeline Black, Dr André Vleming;
Portia
Page). Most recently I learned the 'Total Immersion Swimming' TM method
of
swimming. I am a member of the Deutscher Pilates Verband.

Rates

Rates / Terms

A single class €60, a package of ten, €500. A duo class €35 per person, a package of ten €300.

We can work together at a time that suits you, between 7am - 10pm.

I provide you with precise and attentive instruction, respect and care, while minimizing risk, in a personal and safe environment. In exchange, I expect one business day notice for all cancellations otherwise full fee is charged. A signed waiver and acceptance of the possible risk is involved.